Well, it's the end of another school year and another prom season has passed.  Now we look to summer and early fall weddings.  Many brides will take advantage of the break from school to plan their wedding.  Now our hope is that she started planning many months ago, but if not don't get too frustrated.  If can be done.  
    The trick to planning a quick wedding any time of year is be flexible.  First decide on a date and a place.  This is the one most important step.  It is also wise to secure the officiant as their schedule must be taken into consideration as well. Once you have these in place you can begin to plan the rest.
    If you wish to use a professional photographer book them next.  Photographers book as far as a year in advance, so choose a couple of different options.  Also, you may want to consider a non-professional who does photography as a hobby.  I realize that a professional my be somewhat more reliable, but also may not be available.  Whether you use a professional or not, don't be afraid to ask to see some of their work.  These are the pictures from your wedding, a once in a lifetime event.  You want them to be good.
    Now, comes the fun part, what are we going to wear?  Be flexible, I can't stress that enough.  I know every little girl has dreamed of her wedding day, but unless you've been searching for your dream dress a very long time and have time to order it, be flexible.  By the way, standard time to order a wedding gown is about 16 weeks, that's 4 months.  Go shopping and I don't mean on the internet!  Make an adventure of it and don't forget your camera.  Go to your local shops or shops in neighboring towns and try on dresses.  See what looks good.  If the shop will allow, take pictures so that you can compare the different gowns and how they look on you at home. Keep in mind if you are wanting an informal, more simple looking gown, that many bridesmaid gowns will come white or ivory and can be ordered on a rush in about 3 weeks.  Also, you made find a white or ivory in the prom gowns that will look amazing on you.  Don't throw any idea out some dresses will really surprise you when you put them on.  The professionals who own their own shops can be a great help to you.  Most of them have been putting bodies in dresses long enough to know what will look good on you.  
    Decide how many attendants you will have and choose a couple of colors that you like.  Don't have your heart set on a certain shade, remember, be flexible.  Have a general idea of the size ranges of your bridesmaids when you start looking.  This will help determine which quick delivery companies will be able to accommodate your wedding party.  Be prepared there may be a rush fee added to the bridesmaids dress price to ensure quick delivery.  Don't be too discouraged most shops have a company or two that offer immediate delivery.  I know at our shop we even have a couple of budget companies that offer dresses hanging and ready to ship within 24 hours.  These usually are a little more limited in available sizes and colors, remember, be flexible.  
    Food and flowers come next.  Whether you hire a professional or you are a do it yourselfer, you can have these done pretty quickly.  The more simple you keep the menue the easier it will be.  Remember that you want to use a blend of colors in your flowers this will make decorating a more simple task.  Everything may not be in stock in exactly the same shade, but you may be able to find complementing colors. If you use an outdoor location let Mother Nature wory about the decoration, just have a back up plan if she is in a stormy mood. 
    The main thing is when all is said and done you and the love of your life will be husband and wife.  It won't matter if everything looked like it was designer decorated.  Nobody will remember what you served at the reception, but they will remember how happy the two of you looked.  Relax and enjoy the day. 

        The days of the traditional "Oh my God it's a bridesmaid dress" dress are over and done.  Many of the new styles are great dresses for after five wear.  New lighter weight taffeta fabrics and airy chiffons in short and long dresses are increasing the choices brides now have.      
        One of the main changes we are seeing in bridesmaids is that short dresses are not just for informal outside weddings anymore.  Many brides are looking for dresses that their bridesmaids can use again.  We have even had several brides who have purchased one of the same style dresses as their bridesmaids in white or ivory for their "after the wedding" dress.  Knee length and just above the knee are probably the most popular lengths for bridesmaids right now.  Of course, during the colder months long dresses will be seen more, but this is south Mississippi, our colder months are short! 
      (compliments of Pretty Maids)
        Some brides are using different styles in the same fabric for each bridesmaid.  This allows her to chose a style that will flatter each girls individual body style and personality.  My personal taste, I guess I'm a little traditional I still like everyone to match, but if you do all the maids in either long or short and not a mix of the two, it can be kind of cute.  In the picture below you will see a really good example of how you can coordinate different necklines but still keep the same style and color.

     (compliments of Pretty Maids)
              If you noticed the two tone look in the chocolate and pink dresses above, you saw another very important trend.  Many brides are incorporating two colors in their bridal party's attire.  The combinations are endless, with roughly 60 colors to mix and match.  It looks like burnt orange and chocolate are still going to be a strong combination this coming year, but there are lots of new colors moving up the ranks.  We are seeing more yellow, turquoise, coral, and red.  Yellow is probably the hardest of these to use as a bridesmaid color because not everyone's skin tone will accommodate yellow.  Coral is a great color for bridesmaids because it seems to compliment almost every complexion.  There are even a few print patterns that are available in bridesmaids dresses, but remember that you don't want the attendants to over power the bride.
          (compliments of Landa Designs)
            Just remember, the bride is always right.  It's her day!  The wedding should reflect her taste and style, but don't forget the groom and his attendants.  They need to look sharp, too, but that is a topic for another blog.

    Well, our trip to the National Prom Market in Atlanta was a blast!  This was Jackie's first year and it was lots of fun to watch her in the big city of Atlanta, GA.  It seems there is no particular theme this year.  Everything is in, in 2010!
    Some of the styles from last year that you will be seeing more of are the bold animal prints and animal prints with color accents.  You will also see more of the metallics this year.  Gold, silver, and bronze are still going to be very big along with fuchsia metallic.  
    New for this year are bolder prints in geometrical patterns, and floral designs.  You'll see lots of slinky, form-fitting gowns, plus some flowing skirts.  The train has not quite finished it's run.  I think it is the Old Hollywood influence.  Our first lady has also had an influence on the fashion world.  She seems to have brought back the asymmetrical, one-shoulder dresses.  Many dresses this year are designed with low backs or detailed backs.  Old Hollywood elegance is still very much in style.  You'll also see some retro styling like from the 50's and 60's with more of a vintage feel.
    Jewelry will be bigger and better this year.  Rhinestones, gemstones, chunk stones, on everything from earrings to shoes.  Find jewelry to suit your personality.  Do you feel fun and funky or refined and elegant.  Small clutch handbags make a good accent piece as well.  This year there is something for everyone just keep looking till you find your particular style.
    

    There are lots of ways to make your wedding planning easier.  Over the years I have watched cool, calm, collected brides breeze through their wedding plans and I've watched other brides meltdown at the table in my shop as wedding plans took their toll.  Here are some quick tips to make your life as a bride easier.

1.  Don't wait until the last minute.  Most professionals will tell you that you need a year, but it can be done in 6 months by a fairly organized bride.  For some stange reason our shop, has gained a reputation for "pulling rabbits out of hats", by that I mean finding wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and tuxedos for weddings less that two months out.  This is not an ideal situation.  It seriously limits your options.  Choose your date, book your facility and go from there.  If you have 6 months, it can be done.

2.  Learn to delegate.  This is key.  Your mother, sister or sisters, sister-in-law, maid of honor, and bridesmaids can be valuable resources.  Choose a task and assign a task manager.  (Ex.  Maid of Honor - follow up with the bridal shop and make sure everyone has been fitted by the deadline for ordering.  Sister - Confirm time and date with caterer and florist.)  These may not seem like much and may only consist of a few phone calls, but they can really take a lot off of the bride.

3.  Don't forget your fiance'.  Experience tells me that there are two types of grooms; the one who just wants the bride to make all the decisions and he'll just be there when he is suppossed to be there, or the one who wants to be involved in all the decissions.  Whichever type groom you have, the stress can get to both of you.  Take time with each other without working on wedding plans and guest list.  Make a date.  Go to movie and out to dinner.  Go watch a sunset together.

4.  Be a list maker.  Make list of your priorities?  What picture do you want taken?  Which guest do you want seated together or not seated together?  What items do you need to go to the church with you that day?  What items do you need packed for the honeymoon?  

5.  Don't be  a perfectionist.  If you are by nature this may be the hardest tip for you to take.  Relax, even though everything is not absolutely perfect, when all is said and done, you will still be just as married.  My husband and I were married 25 years ago.  The elderly minister who married us preached the wedding ceremony for the couple he married the weekend before.  Our rings got swapped somehow and I put my ring on his finger (which didn't fit) he put his ring on mine.  Everybody stepped on my dress(the shop had forgotten to hem it).  When everything was over, we had funny stories to tell and were just as married.

6.  Try on your gown one more time at least four days before the wedding.  Just make sure everything is right.  Most bridal stores will request you try it on one more time before you pick it up anyway.  This is always a good idea.

7.  Pack a wedding day survial kit.  This should include these suggested items: asprin, needle and thread, safty pins, peppermints,  Tide to Go pen, extra pair of pantyhose(if you are going to wear them), clear nail polish, super glue, a pair of slippers is a good idea to rest your feet when you don't need your heels.  You may need to taylor this list to your needs.

8.  Take a day a couple of days before the wedding to spend with your mom.  If you don't have a mom or sister, take a girlfriend.  The reason I picked mom first is that this is her big day, too.  She has thought about this day since the day you were born.  Go to lunch.  Book a massage at a day spa.  Relax and enjoy!  You both deserve it.

9.  Don't try to please everyone.  I'm not saying be "Bidezilla", but it's your wedding, not your maid of honor's or your bridesmaids'.  I have watched brides torture themselves shopping with their attendants.  Certainly get their opions, but choose your dresses and colors and tell them when and where to be fitted.  Don't let them take everything over.  There is not way to put four or more women in the same color or the same dress and make them all happy.  Make you and your groom happy.

10.  If you have an evening wedding, sleep in.  Get up later, eat a good breakfast with your parents if possible.  You'll miss this and so will they.  Let them know you love them.  Then start the days activities.  Hairdos, makeup, pictures, ect.

    I hope this list of tips will help someone.  I know they won't all work for everyone, but you may find a gem or two in here.  Just remember it's your day.  It's supposed to be a celebration of love.  Smile and enjoy it!

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